WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2017 JOURNAL Volume XLIII—A Publication of the World Day of Prayer International Committee Am I Being Unfair to You? WRITTEN BY WDP WOMEN OF THE PHILIPPINES World Day of Prayer Writing Committee, Philippines Check out the WDPIC Website here: www.worlddayofprayer.net Contents FEATURES WDP AROUND THE WORLD From the Chairperson 03 Asia Now we know the meaning of 07 Like us on Facebook at ‘dagyaw’ 10 Africa www.facebook.com/WDPIC 04 Worship Service Bible Text Matthew 20:1-16 15 Caribbean/North America From the Writer Country 05 Europe “Am I Being Unfair to You?” 20 42 Leading Together 33 Latin America 44 From the Executive Director 38 Middle East International Committee Meeting Report 40 Pacific 48 WDP at a Glance To read and share these stories online, visit www.worlddayof- prayer.net/journals.html On the Cover: A Glimpse of the Philippine Situation, painting by Rowena “Apol” Laxamana-Sta.Rosa for the program written by WDP Philippines. World Day of Prayer 2 Journal 2017 FROM THE CHAIRPERSON Now we know the meaning of ‘dagyaw’ BY LAURENCE GANGLOFF ear World Day of Prayer sisters happiness, tenderness and light to our Dand friends, I greet you warmly world! on behalf of the World Day of Prayer International Committee! Now, we are preparing our communi- ties for the 2018 Suriname theme “All As I’m writing this greeting, hurri- God’s Creation is very good.” Of canes, earthquakes, and floods are course, we will ask ourselves “What among the breaking news stories. Be- have we made for the creation?” sides this, politicians and elections “How can we heal or repair what was bring more fears for tomorrow than very good from the beginning?”—But before action, let us take time to real- peace or hope. Laurence Gangloff, Chairperson, World Day of Prayer International ize that we are all made like God. I I share this prayer from the Presbyte- Committee love this quotation from Hans Urs rian Church, USA: Holy One, you are von Balthasar: “What you are is God’s our comfort and strength in times of theme sounds like a promise of God’s gift to you, what you become is your sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos. Sur- justice, peace, tenderness, and abun- gift to God.” As God’s creatures, let us round us now with your grace and dance to us. do our best to care for God’s creation. peace through storm or earthquake, fire or flood. By your Spirit, lift up In Brazil, “Seeking wisdom to care for You are holding the Philippines Journal those who have fallen, sustain those God’s Creation” was the theme of with photos, reports, and experiences the International Committee Meeting who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill from all over the world. It is an (20-27 August 2017), and indeed, we us with the hope of your new cre- overview of the global experiences like are invited to continue seeking wis- ation; through Jesus Christ, our rock a marvelous and colorful bouquet of dom! On Thursday, we were all invited and redeemer. Amen. flowers. Let us take the time to read to dress in black, to support the World Like the Philippine sisters overcame Council of Churches campaign and discover all the experiences, testi- Typhoon Yolanda-Haiyan, we shall against sexual and gender-based vio- monies, and commitments made by overcome other storms called hatred lence and violence in general. “Thurs- World Day of Prayer leaders in their or disasters. The 2017 theme “Am I day in black” is affirming that we are own local context. Thank you to all the being unfair to you?” allowed us to marching “towards a world without committees and groups who prepared conclude that the vineyard owner (or rape and violence.” Let us continue to WDP. Thank you to our Philippine sis- master) was fair from the beginning: wear black every Thursday and to say ters. Now, we all know the meaning of the salary he has promised was paid as NO to violence against women. Let us “dagyaw” in terms of sharing work, it was decided together. Finally, the be the ones who will bring peace and suffering, and hoping together! Peace and blessings to you. Thanks for your commitment to World Day of Prayer! World Day of Prayer 3 Journal 2017 Worship Service Bible Text MATTHEW 20:1-16* or the kingdom of heaven, is like PHILIPPINES Fa landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the la- borers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market- place; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ PHILIPPINES They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the did you not agree with me for the last will be first, and the first will be landowner, saying, ‘These last worked usual daily wage? Take what belongs last. only one hour, and you have made to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I * New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright them equal to us who have borne the © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of burden of the day and the scorching not allowed to do what I choose with the National Council of the Churches of Christ heat.’ But he replied to one of them, what belongs to me? Or are you envi- in the United States of America. Used by permis- sion. All rights reserved. ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; ous because I am generous?’ So the World Day of Prayer 4 Journal 2017 FROM THE WRITER COUNTRY “Am I Being Unfair to You?” BY WDP WOMEN OF THE PHILIPPINES hen we were notified that we PHILIPPINES Wwere the writer country, I was just starting my term as chairperson. My first reaction was, well, of course! Then there was this realization that this is a big responsibility. The task to let the world know about our country lay before us. Little did we realize that with this opportunity came the great burden to study, to come together, to put our shoulders together and to pray for patience and discernment. Finding a common time among the members of the writing committee PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES was difficult. Participation of those in the provinces was limited to emails and phone calls and courier services. Resourcefulness and creativity helped us through. When work was finished, we heaved a sigh of relief. AM I BEING UNFAIR TO YOU? God’s abounding grace is bestowed on both the worthy and unworthy. The question posed by the meditation speaker during our celebration was di- mobilized their members to prepare rected to the church: Is the church the venue and the food, make decora- being fair to its church worker? The tions, and welcome the women atten- congregation responded with a mur- dees. Participants were delighted and mur of agreement to the question but inspired when singing the songs of in fact, in many places, pastors and During the worship, many were moved faith and worship. We rediscovered church workers cannot sustain the to tears as the liturgy portrayed the that the deep wounds inflicted by needs of their families, and equal op- situation of women in our country. forces within and without the commu- portunity is denied to most female The youth gave life to the songs and nity can be laid before God, and that pastors. the scripture text. The local hosts the community of faith can help World Day of Prayer 5 Journal 2017 PHILIPPINES PHILIPPINES heal the wounds spawned by hate and PHILIPPINES selfishness. The participants were very thankful that more than a 100 coun- tries stood in solidarity with the Philip- pines through prayer and action. INFORMED PRAYER AND PRAYERFUL ACTION The WDP has long been in the Philippines. However, it has been practiced as a celebration of one day, and has not seeped into daily life. Cel- ebration is a way of thanking God for what has been done the past year and to move forward to the next year of action. The Philippines is so full of God-given natural beauty. The people sity that enriches the wonderful world private. We must learn to engage the are so warm, hospitable, resourceful God has given us. community in prayer. This will lead and strong. The varied cultures from people to use information for prayer- north to south are one reason to cele- Our ecumenical relationships should ful action, finding common ground brate. This multiplicity is not at all a not be limited to churches, but can on community concerns.